Excerpt from Shoes of Peace: Letters to Youth from Peacemakers

This year Brethren Press published Shoes for Peace: Letters to Youth from Peacemakers, an inspiring collection of letters and other writings from Brethren who testify to Christ's way of peace. The letter below from SueZann Bosler is a sample from the book.

Dear future Christian leaders,

On Sept. 11, 2001, I saw on TV with my own eyes the second plane flying into the World Trade Center. I was so shocked that I cried and wondered if it was really happening. A sense of pain for the thousands of victims came over me, and I began praying for the millions of people affected by this horrendous event, including the families of the terrorists.

I compared it to my own experience on Dec. 22, 1986, when I saw my father, the Reverend Billy Bosler, stabbed to death. Then I was stabbed and left for dead. I worked 10½ years to spare the life of the perpetrator, James Bernard Campbell, and was finally able to achieve my goal. He received life not death. Let me tell you, I was not able to truly forgive this man until the moment that I finally let go of the anger and bitterness that I felt for him and got on with my life. I had to bring out the good in this situation and let go of the bad. I had come to realize that my hate was not hurting him; it was consuming and hurting me. I remember vividly that Jesus said, "Turn the other cheek," and that is what I did.

I was against the death penalty before these things happened, and now I am striving more adamantly for the end of executions, torture, racism, injustice, and wars of hatred and revenge, so the places that Jesus walked can be restored and we can all work together to find peace.

What would you do if you were asked to protest war? Well, I know what Mother Teresa would do. She was asked one day if she would join a march against the war, and she replied, "No, but I will be there to walk with you for peace."

So sisters and brothers, I am going to ask you to play a part in this work for peace and justice by making a pledge, which you will find on the Brethren website (brethren.org/genbd/witness/peace/pledge.htm). It states: I won't fight to kill. I will fight injustice. I will fight hatred. I will fight racism. I will work to make sure that everyone has what they need to live as God intends. I just won't fight to kill.

I have seen many bumper stickers since 9/11 with flags on them and various patriotic sayings, but if I had a bumper sticker, mine would say, "I am proud to be an American against War, Executions, and Racism" or "United We Stand—for Peace." I hope you will join me in the positive quest for peace and justice, striving to do what Jesus would do.

Paz (peace) and love,

SueZann Bosler

SueZann Bosler is a hair stylist, a victim of violent crime, and an activist against the death penalty. This excerpt is from Shoes of Peace: Letters to Youth from Peacemakers, Brethren Press, copyright © 2002. It may be ordered for $9.95 from www.brethrenpress.com.